Circus to serve as fundraiser in Baldwin City

To the Baldwin City Recreation Commission and Chamber of Commerce officials, a circus and school organization seemed like a natural partnership.

At the suggestions of the two organizations, the Baldwin Community Service Organization will have as a back-to-school fundraiser a visit from the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, said Michelle Patterson, CSO president.

“I’ve heard they wanted to get the circus here for some time but no one seemed interested,” she said. “It’s nice to get it in here.”

The big-top, one-ring circus will have shows at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at the ball field complex on Bull Pup Drive south of the Baldwin Elementary School Intermediate Center.

“My kids and I saw the circus in Ottawa,” Patterson said. “We loved it. It has some animals, clowns, acrobats, face painting — it’s a real kid-friendly kind of thing.”

Children and circus-loving adults can get an advanced taste of the circus next Wednesday when Skeeter the Clown visits Baldwin City. She will start her day in the community at 8 a.m. at Baldwin City Market, move at 9 a.m. to Vintage Park and spend 10 to 11 a.m. at the Baldwin City Library for its Storytime event.

The public is also invited to come from 9 to 10 a.m. the day of the circus to watch the raising of the tent, followed by a free tour of the circus, which will include information on the hygiene, grooming and veterinary care of animals.

Advance tickets are $6 for children ages 2 through 12 and $9 for adults. Show day tickets are $7 for children and $12 for adults. Tickets can be purchased at numerous stores and businesses in Baldwin City and at the Baldwin City Recreation Commission office, 718 High St., and the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, 720 High St.

Jill Underwood, office manager for the chamber, said about 20 members donated tickets for the event.

The donated tickets were given to the Baldwin City food pantry in the Baldwin First United Methodist Church and Vintage Park for distribution, Patterson said. She also planned to visit with social workers in elementary schools about getting tickets to the right children, she said.

The CSO will use the money earned from the circus to fund school field trips, its annual elementary school science night, grants to teachers for classroom supplies, help with classroom technology and its yearly carnival, Patterson said.

“I hope the circus adds to our income, and we can do something special with it,” she said.